Innholdsfortegnelse for 5/10/2023 i Classic Car Buyer

Years ago, I remember being told not to become a car mechanic as my teachers thought I was too “academic.” So to fuel my passion for old motors I ended up writing about cars instead, which presumably was more along the lines of what they were thinking, rather than getting my hands dirty in a workshop. Don’t get me wrong – It’s been a tough gig at times and there’s been a lot of late nights, but I continue to have a great time being a writer and it’s opened doors all over the world. I do, however, wonder what might have happened if I’d trained as a mechanic or gone down the route of a trade. Judging by the experience of a specialist Mini restorer (see page 5), it’s…

With Ford due to officially retire the Fiesta badge this summer, the Classic Ford Show will host a special celebration of the iconic hatchback. A 30-car Fiesta tribute will feature the whole range of generations, from the earliest base-model Mk1s through to hot hatches such as the XR2, Mk3 RS Turbo and last of the Mk8 STs. Also joining the Fiestas at the Classic Ford Show will be several models celebrating anniversaries in 2023 including the Escort RS2000 (50 years), Sierra XR4i (40 years), Mondeo (30 years) and Focus (25 years). The Classic Ford Show takes place on Sunday, May 14 at the South of England Showground near Haywards Heath in West Sussex. Discounted advance tickets are still available from classicfordshow.co.uk or you can pay on the day — the…

Will ULEZ and clean air zones kill off the classic car community? Covered in many automotive news outlets, the expansion of the ULEZ zone and clean air zones has become a hot topic for all classic car fans. These regulated areas will see many appreciating classics become a magnet for a daily charge. This fee will mean many future classics, some of which are low mileage examples that are used sparingly by inner city dwellers, become unaffordable and end up either scrapped or sold off to pastures new. There is also the danger of classic venues losing trade: the new ULEZ zone will impact journeys to popular places like Ace Cafe and Brooklands Museum, whereby punters will need to find an extra £12.50 simply for ‘crossing the threshold’. But how…

After last weekend’s coronation, it’s rather fitting that we should enjoy a nostalgic rewind back to the year of the previous one in this issue – 1953. But while the fully televised coronation of Elizabeth II was the big news, it was also something of a vintage year for new cars. All manner of temptations were ready to part buyers from their cash, particularly for those after a British sports car, although more family-oriented motorists were catered for, too. Now, 70 years later, the options are just as tempting, so join us as we look back at the greatest hits. Which one would you choose? AC ACE AC itself dates back to the beginning of the 1900s but what interests us here is the car that would ultimately give rise…

Quotation supplied by Lancaster Insurance Web: lancasterinsurance.co.uk Tel: 01480 809176 £89.97 or £107.97 with Agreed Value. Quote based on a 45-year-old marketing manager, access to another car, no claims or convictions, club member, 3000 miles per year, no modifications, living in SP2 0HL.  Disclaimer: Subject to underwriting criteria. An additional charge may be payable. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.…

Jumpstart pack The compact Clarke Jumpstart 910 is a multi-purpose energy pack, providing instant jump-starting power but also featuring a built-in 12v air compressor, making it ideal in an emergency or for general use. How much? £116.39 Where? machinemart.co.uk / 0115 956 5555 Mustang flywheel This lightweight aluminium flywheel will add more performance to the last of the original ‘pony cars’; the 1972-1973 Ford Mustang (Base model and Grande). Part number BJCJ-186511, it’s simple to install when the clutch is replaced. How much? £387.27 (plus import duty) Where? fidanza.com Matchbox State Coach Marking King Charles III’s Coronation, Matchbox has recreated its historic 1:64 scale Gold State Coach model. The diecast car brand owes its existence to the original, which was sold 70 years ago for Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation. How…

Victor Riley, the grandson of the founder of the famous Riley marque, has been newly appointed as an Ambassador for the Classic Car Loan Project (CCLP). The organisation aims to encourage the next generation of classic car owners by lending them a vehicle for up to a year. Victor’s grandfather, William, founded the Riley Cycle Company in 1896. Riley’s middle son, Percy, then began building cars in 1898 at the age of 16, something that would eventually lead to the Riley name becoming famous for its sports cars. The marque grew rapidly through the 1920s and 1930s, before becoming part of the Nuffield Organisation, and later BMC. The last Riley was produced in 1969. Through his own CCLP experience via a Riley Elf, respected enthusiast Victor will promote the endeavour…

As the Maestro celebrates its 40th birthday, now seems the perfect time to take a closer look at this British classic, along with its Montego stablemate that reaches the same milestone next year. The replacement for the Allegro and Maxi endured a somewhat lengthy development process but the hatchback arrived ready to take on contemporary rivals such as the Ford Escort, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf. Mechanically conventional, it still featured numerous innovations including a voice synthesiser voiced by Nicolette McKenzie on the plusher models, but quality and reliability proved to be an issue. Still, the range offered plenty of choice, from the affordable entry level models to the the posh Vanden Plas, as well as a sporty MG variant. The booted Montego arrived a year later and was aimed…

Modification and modernisation can be touchy subjects in the classic car world – on the one hand it seems rather recursive to turn an old car into an inferior imitation of a modern one and diminish its historic feel. On the other, there is huge scope to gain reliability, durability and ease of use before the result negatively affects the nature of the car, without even considering improvements to performance. This Jaguar treads the line between modification and modernisation very well. Initially, it appears as a Carmen Red Mk2 with chrome bumpers, wire wheels and lots of wood – far from unusual. But the specification list tells a different story. For starters the 3.8-litre engine wasn’t available in the Mk2 in 1968 – this one came from a MkX. It…

FORD GRANADA MK1 (1972-1977) The Granada is the upstart amongst our group of 1970s managerial motors in many ways. A far more compact effort than its Mk4 Zephyr and Zodiac predecessors, it had muscular and contemporary styling that gave it a leg up over rivals, the aesthetics and engineering of which were predominantly rooted in the 1960s. It didn’t matter that the Ford wasn’t particularly advanced under the skin – it was an attractive package that was reliable, easy to maintain and perfect for middle management. In short, it brought Ford into a market that its bigger forebears had failed to make a significant impact on. The car we know as the Ford Granada was initially launched under two different names, with the Zephyr and Zodiac replaced in ’72 by…

CONTACT St Andrews Autos, Edney Common, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3PX 01245 248888 standrewsautos.co.uk Timeless, beautiful and enduringly popular would be an apt way of describing the R107 Mercedes-Benz SL. Launched in 1971, the R107 enjoyed an 18-year production run and is still synonymous with class and sophistication today. The SL remains a safe and dependable grand tourer not only to cruise to a destination in, but also to look right at home on the promenade when you’re there. The later cars enjoyed numerous improvements and better rust protection, but that only serves to make surviving examples of the earlier cars rarer and more alluring. And they don’t get much more alluring than this example, which is surely one of lowest mileage and most original early 350 SLs available. Purchased new…

INSURANCE WOES Our report in the April 26 issue on the rising cost of car insurance for over 50s motivated several readers to contact us with news of their own experiences. Clive Brown has suffered a large hike in his premium recently, which supports our findings. “I’m 62 years old and have a Ford Fiesta ST200. Last year’s premium was £426, this year’s quote is £776. I spoke to my insurer regarding this ridiculous price increase, all they could say is that it is due to my postcode and the car I drive. I explained that it is the same car, and that I haven’t moved house, but they offered me no discount, instead they suggested I go on their website to try and get a cheaper quote, they would…

Two remarkable entries for the forthcoming Historics sale on May 27 at Ascot Racecourse are already generating considerable interest. A rare Jensen Healey GT – introduced in 1975 as a shooting brake version of its roadster stablemate – is one of just 218 right-hand drive vehicles produced and one of only 52 in white. It’s in fine condition and is expected to sell for £17,000-£25,000. Meanwhile, a very low-mileage 1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II is proving equally intriguing. Having covered just 5613 miles from new, it’s thought to be the lowest mileage example on the road today and has been kept by the same owner for its entire 43 years. Thoroughly cosseted, it’s expected to change hands for £35,000-£45,000. For more details and to view the rest of the catalogue,…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK A lack of skilled staff entering or indeed returning to the historic vehicle industry remains a pressing concern, with a leading classic Mini specialist finding itself as a prime example of how businesses are struggling to recruit amid the cost-of-living crisis and the aftermath of the pandemic. Somerford Mini, based in the Wiltshire town of Calne, was established in 1990 and has built up an enviable reputation over the last 33 years. “The order book is full. Really full,” Somerford’s Adrian Du Cros told our sister title, Mini Magazine. “Our (fantastically patient) customers are waiting over 18 months before we can start restorations of their beloved classic Minis. We are routinely turning away minor jobs, servicing, and MoTs from faithful customers – which…

A new showroom for Austin J40 pedal cars has opened at Bicester Heritage. The shop displays several J40 models, ranging from well-used ex-fairground examples to restored examples used for the popular Settrington Cup race at the Goodwood Revival. Complemented by a new website and a range of merchandise, the showroom will soon be home to the forthcoming Austin Continuation Car; the first brand-new Austin pedal car for over 50 years. The Continuation Car will incorporate a brand-new pedal system and an all-aluminium body.…

1983 – The Maestro is launched with a choice of A-plus or R-Series engines, and you could even have electronic instruments and a voice synthesiser. High-tech stuff… 1984 – It was a busy year with the S-Series engine replacing the ‘R’. The S-Series was short-lived in the MG version, and it became the 2.0 EFi shortly after. 1984 also marked the launch of the Montego, with the estate following later in the year. 1985-1988 – Model changes included the arrival of City and City X Maestros, and the 1.6 Mayfair in 1986. The 152bhp Maestro Turbo available from 1989 was a proper hot hatch, while the Montego was facelifted and also gained a diesel engine. 1990-1992 – A revised Maestro range included new trim levels such as Clubman, LX and…

Officially there is no such thing as a ‘Jaguar 380’, leaving the boot badge worn by this car a work of fiction. There were 3.8-litre Jaguar Mk2s of course – right from the start of production in 1959. This was essentially the same engine as found in the early E-types, but with the more restrictive head and manifolds as on the 3.4-litre engine and only two carburettors in deference to the Mk2’s restrictive engine bay. As a result the ‘Jaguar 3.8 Litre Mk2’ only mustered 30bhp more than the 3.4-litre version in return for significantly greater fuel consumption. However, mid-range torque was significantly better and there was more scope for tuning work, making the 3.8 Litre the model of choice for two of the small Jaguar saloon’s most famous customers…

Almost 70 years after it was launched, there is still no other car that really comes close to having the same weird mystique as the Citroën DS. If the DS appeals to you, nothing – even one of Citroën’s follow-up acts – will really be a true substitute. The last made are more practical and rounded cars, but you really do have to look at an early car to get the full dose of ‘je ne sais quoi’ that makes the DS so appealing. When other car makers were just about getting to grips with cars without separate chassis and making cautious experiments with steering racks, the DS boasted unitary ‘safety cell’ construction, plastic body and interior parts, front-wheel drive, front disc brakes (a world first for a production car)…